iOS: About Messages

Summary

You can send and receive text messages using the Messages app included with iOS 5. Messages supports SMS and MMS on iPhone, and iMessage on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Products Affected

iPad, iPhone, iPod touch

iMessage

iMessage allows you to send unlimited text, photos, videos, locations, and contacts using Wi-Fi or 3G^* from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to other iOS 5 users. For more information on how to use iMessage, see the user guide for your iOS device.

A valid Apple ID is required to use iMessage on iPad and iPod touch. A valid phone number or Apple ID is required to use iMessage on iPhone.

Note: On iPhone, if iMessage is unavailable, the message may be sent as SMS or MMS, depending on content. Carrier messaging rates may apply. You can turn this on or off in iPhone at Settings > Messages > Send As SMS. Messages sent using iMessage will appear in a light blue bubble, while messages sent using SMS or MMS will appear in a green bubble.

SMS and MMS

SMS and MMS messaging requires an appropriate plan from your carrier for use on iPhone. For more information on how to use SMS and MMS messaging on iPhone, see the iPhone User Guide.

Note: Some carriers may automatically convert long SMS messages (ones that would require multiple SMS messages to send) into MMS format.